Ever had to explain the contents of your bag to security personnel? What about when that bag held just your lipstick and a box of tampons? Or a mooncup? Writer, blogger and regular Mamamia contributor Kirsty Rice writes:
“Have you ever stood in a supermarket line with a years supply of tampons? Ever had to declare your tampons at customs? Or perhaps you’ve stood in a crowded foreign airport (using a mixture of broken English and sign language) explaining what you do with your tampons and why you’re currently carrying hundreds of them? If the answer is yes, chances are you’ve been away from home for an extended, ahem….period.
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I think most traveling women have learnt how to strategically pack 10 boxes of tampons in their suitcase, (they make great shoe-fillers), it brings a whole new meaning to “fill your boots”.
It wasn’t until I started traveling that I realized women differed so dramatically in their choices. All of us, at different ends of the globe, have been given different information, usually handed down by the women in our life. As young women we listened and followed the customs of our surroundings.
If you’re Asian it’s possible you may have been told using a tampon was the same as losing your virginity. If you’re an American, after being deemed old enough for a tampon, you may have only seen a tampon with an applicator. In my country town by the river, as a girl who swam every day, I think we skipped past the pad and on to the tampon stage very quickly. My mother was a practical woman, it was a brief conversation “if you want to swim in the carnival this weekend you’ll need to use these”. Done. No need for a long discussion, actually, we really didn’t discuss “it” at all.
As a new expat, within my first few months in Jakarta I soon learnt tam
pons weren’t for everyone. My Indonesian teacher warned me it was unnatural for anything other than my husband to go “in there”. I’m sure she didn’t speak for the entire Indonesian population but it was definitely the belief of a lot of women I met. Even though tampons were taboo, the subject of Aunty Flow coming to visit was one to be shared with everyone. Lets discuss it at breakfast, at lunch, at dinner, lets discuss it at the office, lets just talk about it all day long. “I’m sorry, I wont be at work today, I’ve got my menstruation“. Okay, thanks for that, I’ll see you and your menstruation tomorrow.
A girlfriend of mine who was working as a journalist in Jakarta, got more than she bargained for on a trip to interview the President. On passing through security an entire discussion was had about her tampons. With no idea of what they were holding up to the light, an intense conversation developed. What sort of weapon was she carrying? Was this to be an assassination by tampon?
While living in the US, I made a mercy dash to a pharmacist late on a Sunday evening, I found myself standing alone at a stark white counter. As I handed over my box of little white friends
, the assistant made a sideways glance to check the coast was clear, and asked in a hushed tone “what are they like”? It took me awhile to register what she was talking about. Surely she didn’t mean the tampons? She was in her early twenties. “Ummm, good?” I nervously responded through fear of being on hidden camera. “I’ve seen people buy them before, but I’m not sure if I could”.
I realize now, she meant the applicators, or lack thereof. Primarily, the applicator has been the preferred option in the US, although having read a recent article in the Huffington Post regarding OB brand (no applicators) being hard to find and now on the black market, it appears there may be a shift in trend?
For Australian women, there is only one brand of applicator tampon and I think it may just be our American friends that are buying them. I’m afraid I have to agree with this clever woman who described the use of an applicator as “feeling a bit like someone else putting your glasses on”.
There is one common theme though, no matter where you live, those patronizing television commercials stay the same. It doesn’t matter where you are in the world. I was so pleased to find this one. Have you seen it?”
By Kirsty Rice
About the Author: Kirsty Rice is an Australian writer and Blogger currently living in Qatar. After calling 7 countries home over the past 11 years she’s embarrassed to admit she still can’t pack a suitcase properly. Kirsty is currently writing a book about having 4 children in 4 different countries while trying to remember her new telephone number and where she packed the can opener. You can catch up with her on Twitter here or her blog 4 kids, 20 suitcases and a beagle.
We have been having a great debate in the office about applicators versus non applicators. It seems that there is a great divide. Which side are you on?
Comments
333 Comments so far
One thing is for sure – tampons have provided some embarrassing moments for me. Even from the beginning – faced with club swimming championships my mother introduced me to the tampon. I was absolutely horrified when she was telling me what I had to do. I sat on the toilet and struggled with the concept and once things were in place I walked with my knees together fearful that it would fall out. At the championships I dived in for the breaststroke and was too scared to frog kick in case it fell out. I proceeded to slowly sink to the horror of my father. He dived into the pool thinking I had fainted or something – and then I was horrifed when my mum blurts out to everyone to not panic – “she’s just wearing a tampon for the first time”! Yeah mum – not embarrassing at all. Another time I was at the rugby at Ballymore – on the hill. Dropped my purse with all the little white mice going everywhere rolling down the hill. This of course caused quite a reaction amongst the boys and I guess it well and truly advertised that I was not on the menu that night! At work a young male junior came up to me and asked for something or other – I dived into my pocket, pulled out a mouse and plonked it in his hand. I was oblivious to what I’d done but he was standing stiff, hyperventilating, and unable to speak! Obviously I was embarrassed but kept my poise and went back and simply said, “I don’t think that will fit you”, grabbed it and bolted. And finally, last year when heading down to Melbourne, I was stopped at security in the Brisbane airport. They felt there were excessive items in my hand luggage. Turned out there were a number of the little fellows spread throughout my couple of handbags and overnight bags. Obviously it wasn’t going to be a dirty weekend. The conscientious fellow removed all my tampons and spread them out on the table asking why did I have so many of them? As an old hand at tampon embarrassment I simply replied, “I have a very heavy flow and in fact if you don’t let me through shortly it will be you who is embarrassed and cleaning up a mess, not me”. I was then informed that it was considered too many and unnecessary and they would retain them. I asked if they were concerned that I would perhaps attack flight staff/pilots with my tampons – perhaps death-by-tampons-shoved-up-noses was a plot they thought I was going to work with – did they think if they pulled the string it may have inflated?? It was absolutely ludicrous and I demanded to know who deemed how many tampons were too much? I ended up walking off tampon free and going to the pharmacy up the top and buying more – a nice little money spinner???? I would have bothered to take it further but I didn’t want to become known as the “Tampon Bitch”. I’ll leave it there – because don’t even get me started on Tampons with Children!!
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I feel for you, you really do have to wonder what the airport guy was thinking! There’s a few tampon shipping companies I tend to use in the US to avoid airport hassles. Just had a look in Australia and found this one here for O.B. tampons: http://womanly.co
From their last monthly newsletter it sounded like they’re pretty close to start shipping. Let’s hope they pull it off.
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Jen thanks for the link. Ive been tryng to find some ob tampons here in Melbourne for aages and havent been able to get any and none of the other brands ive tried even comes close. Will be keeping an eye on the womanly page…
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Menstrual blood is supposed to flow out of the body. You are not supposed to block it up. If you need to have a bowel movement, do you insert something to soak it up, or do you pass it?
Do most of you know that tampons are full of chemicals? Do you think they should be sitting in your vagina with its delicate tissues for such a long time?
I wear (unbleached) pads (with wings – great invention) and I SWEAR no one knows I’m wearing them (tehe).
No, I am not a hippy.
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Oh that video is SO FUNNY!!! At first I thought she was serious – but then I got it and chortled all the way to the end and after. GOLD!
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No pads please, I mean, your just sitting in the stuff. I have a cup and swear by it. It is pure luxury. I used tampons on my very first period when I was 12, never looked back (until the cup that is)
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Cup? What on earth is a cup?
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It’s a mooncup.
Mia did a post about it
http://www.mamamia.com.au/health-wellbeing/the-mooncup-how-er-green-is-your-period/
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I use libra non applicators. however they changed the design in the last 6 or so months. They’re now much more like another brand and I HATE them – the all over cover has been replaced with flaky cotton
Does anyone else feel this way? I couldn’t find anywhere to send feedback to
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I started using tampons (non app but I don’t mind either way) after my 2nd or 3rd period and loved them up until I was 19 and was diagnosed with a medical condition that means I can’t use naprogesic or nurofen or codeine or anything other than panadol for period pain.
For some strange reason, now that I have to live with my incredibly severe period pain, I’ve noticed that I cramp more when I use tampons. Panadol barely touches my period pain so I’m reduced to using pads for the first 3 days of Aunt Flo’s visit. It is truly shiteful. I miss naprogesic!
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You poor thing, I don’t know how I’d cope without nurofen around the clock!
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My mother allways used aplicator tampons and I remember one day as a little curious girl opening one of them and playing with the string… and it detached from the tampon! I put the tampon and applicator back in the little wraper and put in back in the box. Not sure how she didn’t notice, but blame it on being dark and the middle of the night… my mum used that tampon and had to go to her GP to be taken out.. Whilst I denied it vehamently, she never believed me and 30 years later she still reminds me..
The whole concept of the cup makes me shudder, me thinks I will stick with my libras..
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Applicators are the best. They are much cleaner and easier to use and it’s only Tampax that sells them here. That is so annoying.
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I can’t agree with you more.
I suffer vaginismus, and physically can not use tampons without applicators. They just make it much easier and your hands don’t have to have much contact with your parts, which is good for me as I work in Props and Set, so my hands are often covered in chemicals
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I used to live in China and NOT in one of the major cities, in an area where there were very few foreigners. There was only ONE place in the whole city where you could buy tampons and they only had the OB brand (no applicator). Even in this one store, they had rows and rows and rows of different types of pads, and only one tiny section with one brand of tampon. I was curious about this so i asked some of my Chinese friends about it. Apparently in China, and many other parts of Asia, women don’t really use tampons. Most women were told by their mothers that tampons are bad for your body and that they can make you sick. Many Chinese women also believe that it’s wrong to drink cold water, wash your hair or go swimming during your period. When I told my Chinese friends that Western women swim during their periods, they were absolutely shocked and appauled. One woman in my office who was in her late twenties and had a child, had never heard of the concept of a tampon in her life. When a slightly wiser Chinese girl with a Western boyfriend explained it to her, you should’ve seen the look on her face!! She was disgusted, and amazed at the same time! Another interesting fact: in China, people don’t use deoderant either. They think it’s bad for your body. So, like tampons, you could only buy deoderant at one particular store in the whole city and there was only one option
Anyway, all this just goes to show that what we here consider “normal” is anything but in another culture, even when it comes to menstruation, a phenomenon that happens to women the world over! BTW I got my first period at age 13 but didn’t use tampons until I was 18 because I was just so unfamiliar with my body that I couldn’t figure out where to put them and the whole idea totally freaked me out…so i coudl see where the Chinese women were coming from!! Anyway, once I FINALLY built up the courage to use them, I couldn’t imagine life without them. Each to their own!
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I must ask because I’m dying to know, does the mooncup actually work? Any leakage issues?
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I bought a Mooncup last month. NO leakage WHATSOEVER. And amazingly, you can keep it in all day (even on the first day) and it only half fills. It’s quite amazing how long you can keep it in. I was a bit worried at first. The only downside is I cut the ‘tail’ part a bit short so now have to reach up a bit high to pull it out. Will never use tampons again!
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One of the greatest advancement in Beijing life over the past few years is that it is now possible to buy tampons at stores all over the city!! While I still have a fondness for my fav brand from home, the fact that I can pop into a 7-11 or Watsons to pick up a box should I get caught out is WONDERFUL!
I started using tampons as a high school student living in the US, so I used applicators. Took me a while to adjust to the “real” thing when we moved home to Australia. Man, did I cop some teasing for that, though! I’ve had the applicator conversation with many American girlfriends in China. I love the glasses analogy – I may just used that next time
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I haven’t read all 300+ comments yet, so sorry if this has been asked and answered, but could someone please explain what a moon cup is? Thanks! C
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Chellebelle ~ The Mooncup is a reusable menstrual cup, around two inches long and made from soft medical grade silicone. It is worn internally a lot lower than a tampon but, while tampons and pads absorb menstrual fluid, the Mooncup collects it. This means it doesn’t cause dryness or irritation, and also that it collects far more (three times as much as a ‘super-absorbent’ tampon’!). Because the Mooncup is reusable, you only need one so it saves you money and helps the environment, too.
The Mooncup is designed to be folded and inserted into the vagina, then removed, rinsed and reinserted up to every 8 hours. A light seal is formed with your vaginal walls, allowing menstrual fluid to pass into the Mooncup without leakage or odour. This seal is released for removal, allowing you to empty the contents, rinse or wipe and reinsert. Comfortable, convenient and safe: the Mooncup can be used overnight and when travelling, swimming or exercising.
copied from http://www.mooncup.co.uk
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I was a pad user who used tampons on those period/swimming collison days. Even though my period is regular, sometimes I would get caught offguard without a pad, but my plastic box filled with tampons was always on hand, so I started to use tampons more. I have never tried applicator before, I assume it’s straightforward, but I don’t really know how it works.
AND THEN after reading Mias mooncup article last year I decided to order one & give it a shot. The mooncup is fantastic & it only took one period to become a convert. It doesn’t interrupt a blissful 12 hour slumber because it doesn’t need to be changed as frequently. If a sink is not available it can be cleaned with toilet paper until you get an opp to rinse it properly. In case you were wondering, when you take it out, it doesn’t spill…well just once. Being a previous pad user, it’s definitely nice to have fresher feeling undies all month. It eliminates to 2nd daily shower I sometimes used to take.
It can be difficult to remove sometimes, it just takes getting used to. The only annoying thing about it….I was in the Arctic recently, it’s kind of hard to spread your legs wearing 3 thick layers of clothing.
I usually carry a box of tampons incase my period comes when I’m out & switch over when I get home. It’s too expensive too loose in your bag, plus you may not be comfy with people rummaging your bag & finding it.
I was travelling for an entire month with a “pad” girl who has never used a tampon. We lugged pads around mny countries for her, I wanted to enlighten her but she probably has to get used to the idea of tampons first.
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A while ago I wrote this Peri-Ode that sums up my thoughts on the mean reds:
http://leathinksaloud.blogspot.com/search/label/crappy%20poem
I only wear tampons when swimming, others it’s ultrathin pads.
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I still laugh remembering my father who was sent to buy tampons for my mother when I was young.
He asked the grocery store woman.
‘ Can I have a packet of lost weekends please’
He said at first she was unsure what he wanted, but after he explained it to her and her husband he could always ask for them this way.
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Diva cup or cloth pads, no chemicals, Maybe you could do a story on first time use of a cup
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Also, my sister-in-law was told by her gyno that the body reacts to the bleaches in tampons and produces more flow, so then we need to use more tampons. Clever ploy by the tampon companies IF it’s true.
Years ago I was in a market research group on Meds (always preferred Libra myself, but anyway) and we all complained how the packaging was really noisy and everyone around could hear that you’re opening a tampon wrapper. Hardly discreet. Then the new type came out and the advertising said “Now with quieter wrapping”. They really listened!
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Back in the really olden days, like 1980, when my Mum first gave me “the talk” (life was a downhill slide from then on), she showed me what pads looked like (seeing as she wasn’t familiar with tampons, had none to show me), and the ones she used were some ancient type that weren’t adhesive – they were held in place with a cloth belt. Seriously. Like a chastity belt! Would’ve certainly scared the men away, without a doubt. That belt would be an antique now! Also, public toilet doors always had little brown paper bags hanging off the back of them for pad disposal.
So when mine started she asked me did I want a belt to wear, or was I going to (horror!) use the adhesive type? Like hell was I gunna use a belt. Get real, Mum!! As if. A few years later I’d tried tampons (no app) and hardly use anything else now. And hardly even them thanks to my best friend Mirena.
When us daughters needed more pads or tampons we’d discreetly write the word “supplies” on the shopping list. I still do it now (@ age 42), cause I’m a prude and don’t like my husband knowing anything about them or when I might/not have them. He’s happy to be ignorant about such matters. When my daughters find anything menstrual-related in my handbag or bathroom and ask I just say it’s something for ladies. Carrying on the prude tradition I think. Must work on that before they hit age 10.
Love the term Aunt Flow. Reminds me of my grandmother every time I hear it, her name was Flo. One of my sisters calls it Red Week, or Shark Week.
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I’ve heard (not sure how true it is) that in Japan it’s called “flag day/week”…….
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OMG! I remember reading about these in a Judy Blume book when I was a tween and feeling so sorry for the girls who had to deal with a freaking belt!
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I’m not sure about now, but up till a few years ago you could still buy the belt!
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Argh! My blog stats have been playing up so I didn’t even realise that my article had been linked to here! Thank you! I’m having a crazy blush fest.
Kirsty, you’re hilarious! Thanks for the link!
I’ve been secretly plotting to submit an article to Mamamia… this might just have pushed me over the edge!
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I don’t like tampons probably because I’m not used to them since I’ve always used pads but pads do feel like I’m wearing diaper. My new strategy is to continuously use the pill to skip my periods so I only have 4 withdrawal bleeds a year.
I’m thinking of going on Implanon though and some people say they rarely have periods but I’m worried I’ll have 12 periods a year like I used to. My main reason for using the pill is to skip my periods so I’d be disappointed if Implanon didn’t have the same effect.
Has anyone used Implanon before?
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I have. It was amazing for like 6 months, then I had pretty continual break through bleeding for 18 months. I have friends with similar experiences, but also friends with much better experiences. I now have mirena and it is amazing. (I’ve never had kids, in case you were wondering)
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Yes, had the same thing happen to me with the implant. Continuous periods for a year or so. It was awful. I’ve also go the Mirena IUD now because of heavy, painful periods and because I haven’t had kids either had awful cramps for weeks after I got it. Still getting periods but they are much easier to deal with now!
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I used it and had non stop heavy bleeding for a month. But maybe that was just me. I was sad about it as it was cheap and I could keep it in for two years.
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I had implanon in for 2 years. I had my period EVERY DAY for the first 5 months. It was hell. But I rode it out because it was my only option and after the 5 months I didn’t get a period for 18 months straight. That was great for me, but people keep reminding me that’s probably not great for my reproductive organs.
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I use cloth pads. I love them! I have had mine for 6 years, and love the fact that I can bypass the “sanitary” aisle at the supermarket!
I do use tampons when travelling though (eg. on an airplane).
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Oh wow, this writer is so funny! What a great read.
I found the applicator variety easiest to start with as a teenager. And I stayed with them for ages, they could easily hide in the pocket of a school uniform. But once at uni and at work and needing to dash to the loo with people around it was too hard to hide in my hand so I switched and prefer the non applicator variety now.
My mum didnt approve of them and told me her Doctor said they were unsafe so I’m glad my generation has grown up with them.
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Aunt Flo first came to visit on a Sunday. Dear mum only had pads, so much to her horror I would not leave the house until I had a tampon! (Not sure she thought her “baby” should be so keen to use them)!
Never looked back since although I do begrudgingly use pads overnight.
Quick stop to buy tampons at the shopping centre (and a visit to the public toilets) Monday morning before school and I was happy
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Am I the only Australian who uses tampons with applicators? I can use ones without, but I prefer the applicators because it’s less messy.
Nothing wrong with that!
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No you are not. I use them as well, for the same reasons.
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Late finding this article, but me too ! – could never manage the applicator-less ones. And no, I am not American.
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tampons with an applicator? How are you supposed to hide it in your fist on the scurry from the desk to the ladies room?
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I got my period at the ripe old age of 11 and I didn’t start using tampons till I think I was 13, but I never used an applicator, they seemed silly and unnecessary!
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Tampons (non app) for days
Pads at night, when heavy.
I first got mine in year seven, in tears i told my mum i must of ‘cut myself’ i just didnt want to have them. she looked me in the eye after a cuddle and told me I will have them for another 40 years….
I’m sooooo over them already!!!!
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Wow…. Good thing I read this thread. Am heading over to Europe for six months in the near future, and had no idea that tampons weren’t readily available overseas.
Also considering a mooncup now (- how had I not heard of this before?) They must be much easier to pack than six boxes of tampons and more eco-friendly! A quick question to mooncup users… Are they comfortable to wear whilst exercising (i.e. high impact aerobics, running). I find tampons fine for this, but the mooncup seems a little more cumbersome….
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not a big exerciser, but in general I find the cup more comfortable than a tampon. I don’t notice it when im working and im fairly active at work. It sits in a different spot to a tampon so it’s nto really more cumbersome, depsite its looks.
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I got a mooncup just before i left for europe for a year! it is incredible & it only took me one period to be a convert. i just got back from an entire month of travelling, living out of carry on suitcase. no pads taking up 1/4 of the space, an eamergency box of tampons & the mooncups. small & takes up no space.
it feels awkward the first time you use it, but afterwards its greata. exercising no worries, even running
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Thanks for your input ladies,
I went ahead and ordered one online.
If it doesn’t work out… meh – I’ve bought items of clothing that have cost more and I’ve never worn, so no biggie.
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I had trouble using tampons at first, when I was 12 or 13 or so, so I started using them with an applicator. I grew out of it pretty quickly, but they were really useful in helping me get used to tampons whilst still being able to do all the thing I wanted to do, like swim. I think tampon applicators are underrated for young girls who are still working all this period stuff out, still getting to know their bodies…
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I’m not a fan of pads personally – they feel like nappies to me, although I do sleep in them.
I live in the UK and pads/tampons are literally £1 ($1.50) for a normal sized box. We get totally ripped off in Australia.
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Also, for first-timers, tell them that once a tampons in, aim for your tailbone and push it in up to the second knuckle at least!
Dolly and Girlfriend magazines were the way to go. Also having a Mum that wasn’t embarrassed to answer questions. It totally normal – I still ask my mum about stuff!
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Going back a long time here, and off to a side topic that I don’t think anyone’s mentioned yet… When I was in primary school (70s), there was this strange appliance on the wall in the girls’ loo, which I eventually learned was an incinerator for ‘sanitary towels’ as they were termed back then! OMG – was I going to have to use this thing at some point???? Luckily didn’t my periods until high school. I don’t remember them having the incinerators, but no disposal units either. I do recall everyone flushed their tampons away back then, but the pad gals had to wrap in toilet paper and place into the normal bin…. ewww… and it was all done in secret. No one mentioned periods, you had to make sure no one knew you had them – smuggle the wrapped objects into the bin and hope no one noticed… and it was mortifying if there was any evidence that you were actually bleeding! Once, at the beach (for school sport), one girl had a tampon string hanging out of her swimmers. A small scandalised crowd gathered to ooh and aah over the sight. Ah, the good old days!
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My high school had those incinerators but no-one would use them as the smoke billowing from the chimney would ruin your anonymity. The rough girls and some boys would gather around the exit to see who had their period. Kids are awful.
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My dad’s workplace use to have the incinerator and the woman would refer to it as a “pie warmer”!
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I lived in the states for 3 years and was perplexed by the lack of non-applicator tampons. I find the applicator unnecessary and a waste of resources. I remember a friend asking me if i had a tampon and i pulled out a non-applicator one and she looked at me like i was expecting her to commit a dirty crime! And they wonder why we call them prudes.
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Hmm…. My Mum never used tampons, so she taught me how to use pads. She always hated the idea of putting one in so never tried.
I decided one day to give it a go, so I experimented and am able to use them pretty well. I still like to use pads, as tampons make me a little nervous.
I admit, they are cleaner and easier to dispose of than pads, and no bulky packet in your bag. It has just taken me a long time to get used to them!
I remember needing to wear one in the States when I wanted to go swimming, so I bought one and it was an applicator. I looked at it and thought “This thing is huge! No way will it fit” I hadn’t seen applicators before! I didn’t have problems inserting it though.
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I was at a girls boarding school when I first got my period. I was very embarrassed and never had any talks with my parent’s, was too shy to talk to friends. I used pads for a long time because I couldn’t ‘work’ tampons. Probably got my period around 12 or 13, Couldn’t use tampons till I was about 16 or so. Not sure if it was a development thing? or just no helpful information? Always hated pad’s I felt self-conscious and bulky. Once I finally got everything working, never looked back. I still hate that I was so in the dark about everything. I love that everyone here is so open and honest about Periods. Now im an adult I talk about all kinds of things with friends, Sisters, anyone. I don’t want it to be taboo anymore. I don’t want my kids to feel what I felt, annoyed, embarrassed and feeling a bit like a freak that others could do something and I couldn’t. .
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The first time i mistakenly bought tampons with applicators, i was a teenager, i remember looking at the thing and thinking no way the sharp bits are going in there. I just pulled it out of the applicator and inserted it normally. Applicators freak me out a bit
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I used tampons with applicators for years because they were given out free at our school, so it was what I got used to, and everytime I tried to use a tampon without applicator I wasn’t able to put it in far enough, it would be so uncomfortable I had to takeit out. I should mention that I wasn’t able to use tampons without applicators (even though I tried a few times in desperate situations) until I lost my virginity. Then it was easier to insert. Now I could use either. Currently in North America so I’ve been buying the ones with applicators.
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I was in greece two years ago and looked for tampons… and looked… and looked. no supermarkets had any in our village. i was HORRIFIED. luckily a little (black market?!) pharmacist had the OP brand and I was forced to buy them.
Soon after \I realised that we must be SO LUCKY. We are one of the very few countries who have such an amazing variety of tampons.
I can’t imagine living in a world without choice. Another reason why I love australia.
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Tampons and freedoms!
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I’m so depressed with the number of people who are so unfamiliar with their own anatomy. My god people, use your fingers, experiment. Really it’s not that hard.
I’m especially saddened by the people who think the idea of diva cups/moon cups is gross. No more trees needed to make tampons and pads and no more landfill or plumbing incidences. And it’s just blood!
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Forget Tampons, try getting anti-menstrual cramp medication. Bad enough in Malaysia and Indonesia, when I tried to replace my painkillers in Hong Kong (after all, I figured there was a limit on the number of blue tablets I could take overseas without questions being asked), the chemist gave me a dressing down in front of the collected shop-ful of people about what was I doing to my body and how dangerous these drugs were. I swear if there had been a passing policeman she would have called him in. Her suggested alternative? Aspirin. Hooray.
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lol.
I first skim-read this and thought you got a dressing gown.
Sweet! Free dressing gowns in Malaysia when you buy Naprogesic.
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Oh god…. I would literally by curled up in a ball all day if I couldn’t get Naprogesic :/
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I had the same weird experience going over to the States. The pharmacies I went to didn’t even have non-applicator tampons. The thing I really didn’t like about them was that the quality seemed to be substantially less than the regular non-applicator tampons I usually use. They didn’t seem to expand outward – just lengthways – and left fussy cottony bits everywhere. They didn’t absorb as much, either.
But, of course, it’s all about what you’re used to. I don’t use pads anymore – at all – not even at night.
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I have a question.
I’ve noticed that every time a menstrual “equipment” post comes out, there’s always a few comments from people wondering or even mentioning the need to remove a tampon/mooncup when they go to the toilet for regular…ah…activities. (Okay, weeing and pooing.)
I’m not trying to start any arguments or anything, but do many women actually believe that they need to remove tampons/mooncups during this time? You do realise that your wee and poo come out of different holes than your menstrual blood, right?
Trust me – taking a wee will not interfere with your tampon (unless you have a fistula or similar medical condition.)
And just for the record, I only ever used applicator tampons when they were handed out as a freebie (which was once, about 14 years ago…) Non-applicator Libras all the way!
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yeah, but when I wee or poo, the tampon 1/2 falls out anyway, thereby getting contaminated. That’s why I don’t think a mooncup would work, i think it would also fall out
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Really? I thought the point was that they didn’t fall out? Wow, I learn things all the time on MM! I never knew they could do that.
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I think it’s not that people don’t know there’s different holes. I think it’s to do with the way that your pelvic floor muscles, tummy muscles etc you use when you’re pushing out a poo also push in your vagina too. Which makes sense when you think about it – giving birth just feels like doing the world’s biggest poo. And if you’re already a bit stretched, from childbirth etc, all the more of a problem, I guess.
Hope that’s all not TMI. Just kinda trying to answer the question.
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I’m related to a thousand nurses – nothing is TMI for me anymore. ;p
I guess I’ve just never had any issues with doing a poo when wearing a tampon. (And I’ve never had kids so I don’t know what it feels like.) Does it all change down there, in terms of the way the muscles behave, after having children?
I’ve got soooo many lovely things to look forward to after kids, don’t I? ;p
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Glad not TMI! Nurses definitely talk about gory stuff, don’t they?! More slightly gory to follow…
My experience is that childbirth does change things in terms of quite a bit. Periods change, sex changes (and not simply kiddus interuptus! Feels different, positions that work/not change etc) and other stuff I’ve probably temporarily forgotten. Might be different depending on whether you tore/had an episiotomy or not. But several significant tears requiring stitches later, it has for me. And while tampons still work fine and definitely don’t fall out, they can get at least partly pushed out. I don’t think the muscles themselves change, more that the vagina and how tight it is changes.
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Having had lots of continence & pelvic floor issues I can add that as far as pooing goes, pushing is no good for the pelvic floor, and that pushing action also pushes out a tampon as well. If it’s a full tampon then it’ll slide more easily than if it’s fairly newly inserted. So if you need to push, then you’re constipated. My 3yo daughter always wants me to be hugging her when she poos (which I could do without), but if she’s straining I tell her that it’ll come out more easily when it’s ready, so you don’t need to actually push. If it doesn’t want to come out then it’s not ready yet.
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I still don’t know how to really use tampons. I mean, it is not like anyone could really show me ( thank God ) . But at night you have to use pads anyway. These things are so expensive ! imagine how women must feel who have no money.
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I never use pads – even at night! Don’t think that’s right that you have to use pads at night. Just depends on what people prefer and the type of periods they have I think.
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Yep, I’ve used a pad at night once and slept for about 3 minutes. Never doing that again!
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LOL gross, yeah same story here …
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Stick your finger in. That’s where the tampon has to go, at the same angle etc
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why dont you go to the GP to show you? if it is bothering you that you cant use them..
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Hi there, does anyone have any problems using tampons after having children? I am 15 months post partum with my second baby and have had 5 periods in that time. I am finding tampons quite uncomfortable. They stay in fine but just feel, well, different and not entirely comfortable. Not to mention my periods are quite achy and sore now. So I have been using mainly pads and actually have found that I don’t mind them as much as I thought. Yet to try a mooncup.
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me too. That’s why i tried a menstrual cup, I couldn’t handle the thought of having to use pads all the time for another 20 years!!
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Absolutely love this ad! Can you believe that stupid one at the moment with women hysterical over the new package. Seriously, do these ad companies have ANY female employees?
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exactly! I can guarantee that I have never screamed with excitement and dropped eggs because of new packaging for tampons!! In fact, it has put me off the brand!!
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I lived in the US for a year and, unable to find a non-applicator tampon, i had no choice but to use the applicator. It was weird at first but i eventually got used to them… however, once i got back home, it was back to normal tampons for me!
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I’m from the states and the first time I had to buy tampons here I struggled to find the ones with applicators. Now, when I visit the US, in the empty duffel bag that I bring over (and fill up with US shopping) are boxes and boxes of applicator tampons (and cinnamon crest toothpaste) – I know you can find them here, but not in such large boxes and not at US prices. I guess it’s all what you are used to.
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so true, imagine all of those traveling tampons between the US and Australia?? It’s as if we need a tampon exchange program
You’ve got in absolutely right when you say it’s all what you are used to.
Kirsty
4 kids, 20 suitcases and a beagle
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Hahaha you never had the idea of removing the applicator? it’s a regular (albeit a bit longer) tampon underneath!
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If you went to a wholefoods/health/organics store, you might have found European or US unbleached tampons with no applicator.
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ive just remembered years ago when we were young one of my friends couldnt figure out where to put a tampon!!! Like there are that many choices down there, we still don’t know actually ive never asked her if she figured it out.
Tampons all the way, non app, ive tried the applicator ones and they just dont seem to stay up properly and i dont even have heavy periods. plus apps are so long and do not sit nicely in a bag like little cute pretty boxes do. although you can get small apps now but ive only seen them in one store here, i first tried them in america.
Happy periods
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PMSL – “like there are so many choices down there”
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When I first got my periods I used pads and, back in the early 80s, they were thick bulky things. Soon after this I went to a pool party and tried my first tampon (applicator ones). I used a mixture of pads and applicators for a couple of years before deciding that tampons were more comfortable and have used non-applicator ones ever since. (I’m now 42 and looking forward to menopause, I’m SO over the whole thing.)
I found the applicator tampons helpful at first when I was new to menstruation, but once I got used to it I preferred non-applicator ones – partly the variety you can choose from and partly the sense of control and feeling what you’re doing.
18 months ago I had a D&C and wasn’t allowed to use tampons for 6 weeks, so I had to use pads. EWWWW! They’ve changed a lot since I last bought them – much thinner and lighter – but I found having my blood sitting there between my legs quite icky.
I’ve never tried a mooncup because I’m squeamish about having to wash it out myself, and because my periods used to be heavy and I didn’t believe I could last all day with one.
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I used tampons in my early teens but always used a brand with an applicator. I’ve tried to use ones with no applicators but could never manage it. I’m pretty sure I still couldn’t. I bought a mooncup a few years ago, couldn’t use that either. I’ve used sanitary towels for decades now and couldn’t imagine using anything else. I’d say nothing else seems to go inside me apart from my husband but I haven’t even got one of them!
Okay. Too much information. I’ll be off then……..
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I’m similar.
I’ve used tampons before, and I’m sure if I had to, I could. But my stubby little fingers certainly cant push a tampon in far enough to be comfortable. I much prefer pads.
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Thank goodness I’m not alone!!!
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13 years for me. No problems yet!
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Me too know how you feel!
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A friend told me about how she was handing out Minties from her handbag at a party once, talking all the while. She stopped when she noticed the dumbfounded expression on one guy’s face. She looked down.. and you guessed it..she had handed him a tampon! Big laugh all round. Poor guy!
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Hysterical! I’ve dropped one of the seat of an airplane once and some poor man had to ask me “is that yours?” but I’ve never accidently handed one to someone. Thanks for the giggle.
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On a school excursion in year 10, I was chatting to a friend on the bus home while foraging in the bottom of my bag for the spare batteries for my discman. I found the batteries and put them in the discman by feel, rather than actually looking. I went to turn the discman on, and couldn’t work out why the hell it wasn’t working. Opened the battery compartment to check I’d put the batteries in the right way, and discovered that one of the batteries I’d found in my bag was actually a tampon.
I also had one fall out of my bra in a drama class in year 11. At that point, I’s been at an all girls school for 5 years, so I wasn’t bothered. Drama classes, however, were combined with the boys school in town, and the two guys I was working with at the time had a minor freak out. Many LOLs for me, scars that may not have faded for them.
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Last year of high school, guy next to me flirtaciously goes through my stuff (i say flirtaciously because he was trying to be “the boss” and i would then “defend myself and giggle”), and the first thing he fishes out of my pencil case was a tampon. one of the mistakenly bought “applicator” ones, so, huge. He was like: “huh…huge…does that…i mean wow” i had to take it out of the wrapper and show him in the middle of class that the tampon without the applicator was normal sized. funny french lesson moment.
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A friend of mine got the shock of her life when her Dad walked out of the bathroom with a tampon in each nostril to stop his bleeding nose. He didn’t know what they were for. Eeeww.
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Tampons with no applicator definitely! I tried the applicator once and it was just weird. Slight deviation from the topic, but I think it’s ridiculous that we still have to pay gst on these ‘non-essential’ items. RIDICULOUS!!!
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